Costa Rica vs Brazil
Tax Rate Comparison
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๐ฐ Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country โ side by side.
๐จ๐ท Costa Rica โ Municipal Taxes
Costa Rica's 84 cantons (municipalities) levy the impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles (property tax at 0.25% of assessed value), business licences (patente municipal), and construction permits. The Municipalidad de San Josรฉ and other urban cantons have highest rates. National taxes are administered by the Ministry of Finance (Hacienda). Costa Rica underwent significant fiscal reform in 2018โ19 to address a fiscal deficit, converting the sales tax to a comprehensive VAT and modifying income tax.
๐ง๐ท Brazil โ State & Municipal Taxes
Brazil has one of the world's most complex tax systems. States levy ICMS at 7%โ18% varying by state. Municipalities levy ISS (services tax) at 2%โ5% and IPTU (urban property tax). A sweeping tax reform (EC 132/2023) is gradually replacing ICMS/ISS with unified IBS and CBS taxes through 2033. States impose ITCMD (inheritance/gift tax) up to 8%.
Costa Rica vs Brazil: Key Tax Differences (2026)
๐ฐ Income Tax: ๐ง๐ท Brazil has a higher top income tax rate (0โ25% vs 0โ27.5%). ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica is more favourable for high earners.
๐ VAT/Sales Tax: Brazil has a higher consumption tax (13% vs ~27.5% combined).
๐ข Corporate Tax: ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica offers a lower corporate rate (30% vs 34%), which can influence business location decisions.
๐ Capital Gains: ๐จ๐ท Costa Rica taxes investment gains at a lower rate (15% vs 22.5%), benefiting investors.